Batman Forever

The third installment of the "Batman" series,
based on characters created by Bob Kane and
published in DC comics, is the best to date.
The action-packed thriller exemplifies
big-budget grandeur gone right, thanks in
great part to fabulously fun, over-the-top
performances by the human cartoon Jim
Carrey as the Riddler and by Tommy Lee
Jones, who appears to be having the time of
his life as Two-Face. But the big star is the
jaw-dropping visual splendor, in the form of
elaborate sets, gadgetry and costumes in
jarring reds, magentas, blues, purples and
greens. That's no surprise, given that new
director Joel Schumacher (taking over the
reins from I and II helmer Tim Burton) began
his Hollywood career as a
designer.
The story,
pervaded by the theme of coming to terms
with one's own duality, is mediocre in itself,
but excitement and exhilaration are jammed
into the tale throughout via brilliant execution.
There is plenty of opportunity left open for still
another sequel, and that's a prospect that
should be enthusiastically anticipated rather
than dreaded, thanks to the serial's
now-established track record of improving
with each generation rather than
deteriorating.
Let's
just hope the filmmakers never find
themselves at the point where they are having
to dust off Vincent Price's Egghead character
or Roddy McDowall's Bookworm due to a
dwindling supply of villains.
Starring Val Kilmer, Jim Carrey, Tommy Lee
Jones, Nicole Kidman and Chris O'Donnell.
Directed by Joel Schumacher. Written by Lee
Batchler, Janet Scott Batchler and Akiva
Goldsman. A Warner Bros. release. Action.
Rated PG-13 for strong stylized action.
Running time: 121 min.